The First Vampire

“Viscount Angler? What brings you here?”

“I…” Colin was taken aback and then blurted out an excuse, “I came to see the Half-Elf female slaves.

“I see!” Prince William got it and immediately showed an ambiguous smile that every man understands, “Then you should have looked for me! The best Half-Elf female slaves in Silver Moon City are at my place!”

Colin blinked and found the prince’s remark quite… naively honest.

“It’s okay, I just wanted to have a look around, I won’t necessarily buy.” Colin quickly changed the subject, “What brings you here?”

“I’m here to investigate this Windbell Commerce Association.” The straightforward Prince William said, “We received a report that this association is involved in tax evasion!”

“We’re innocent! Your Highness!” Cis immediately wailed, “Didn’t you investigate us recently? We’re law-abiding citizens, we absolutely have not evaded taxes!”

“We’ll find out if you did or not after the investigation.” Prince William ignored Cis and waved his hand behind him.

Suddenly, a squad of fierce Half-Elf guards rushed up, grabbed Cis, and walked towards the association.

“I’m sorry, Viscount, I won’t be able to accompany you due to official duties.” “No problem, you mind your business, I will just wander around.”

Colin was ready to bid Prince William goodbye, but as he began to walk away, a thought suddenly struck him, and he turned back and said:

“Your Highness, I may have some leads on this Windbell Commerce

Association. ”

“Oh?” Prince William stopped in his tracks.

“However, these leads are not about tax evasion.”

“That’s okay, tell me.” Prince William’s eyes lit up, and he became even more excited.

Seeing the reaction from Prince William, Colin immediately realized that the Windbell Commerce Association had probably been targeted by the Modewen family for a while now. The tax evasion was merely just an excuse to investigate them.

“Earlier, I saw a surreptitious Troll in there. So, I suspect that this association might be colluding with the Troll Empire.” Colin effortlessly betrayed Okamoto.

He suspected that Cis was a spy planted by the Trolls in the Half-Elf Kingdom, possibly hoping to profit from the approaching conflict between the North and East territories.

Of course, Colin did not intend to let the Trolls have their way.

So, he decided to let Prince William do some digging on Cis.

At the same time, he would stir up more chaos in Silver Moon City.

Only then would he be able to take advantage of the situation without raising suspicion.

“I see!” Prince William suddenly realized why his father had directed him to investigate this association.

“Haha, Viscount Angler, thank you for the lead you provided! I’ll certainly visit you to express my gratitude! Oh, by the way, aren’t you interested in buying a Half-Elf female slave? I will hand over the best one I have to you once I return!”

“No need, no need, you’re too kind.”

After parting with the overly enthusiastic Prince William, Colin walked back to the royal palace alone.

Vera’s wedding was in half a month, so he was somewhat idle at the moment. He wanted to have a chat about life with Vera, but he gave up halfway there.

After all, this was the Half-Elf Royal Palace, not the Red Maple Manor. The guards assigned to the palace were the Silver Moon Guards, who could not be diverted. If anyone noticed anything strange, it could lead to trouble.

So, Colin wandered aimlessly about the palace.

As he walked, he suddenly smelled a familiar fragrance.

Following the scent, Colin entered an open-air garden.

The Blood Roses in the garden were in full bloom, like a fiery ocean.

Colin leaned towards one of them, taking a close look, trying to figure out whether these Blood Roses were of the same variety as the ones he saw at the Windbell Commerce Association.

“Viscount Angler?”

An elegant and slightly magnetic voice suddenly rang out.

Colin was taken aback and turned his head to see Queen Isa half squatting among the flowers.

She was wearing a fiery red dress, perfectly blending into the Blood Roses. No wonder Colin hadn’t noticed her presence earlier.

“Your Majesty, the Queen! I’m sorry, I didn’t see you when I came in.”

Queen Isa waved her hand, indicating Colin didn’t need to stand on ceremony.

She slowly walked towards Colin, a charming smile adorning her stunning face, “Do you, Sir Viscount, also fancy the Blood Rose?”

Colin stood up straight but lowered his eyes to avoid meeting the queen’s gaze,

“Yes, after all, who doesn’t love beautiful things?”

“Did you know? The most beautiful Blood Rose is nurtured with fresh blood.”

While speaking, Queen Isa had already reached Colin’s side.

A faint fragrance continuously wafted into Colin’s nose, stirring his heartstrings.

“Really? No wonder it’s called Blood Rose.” Colin rubbed his itching nose and laughed.

Queen Isa casually picked a Blood Rose, sniffed it gently, and nodded, “Yes. Moreover, the fresher the blood of the more powerful professionals, the more stunning the Blood Rose it nurtures.”

A thought crossed Colin’s mind, he thought to himself— it’s very much like me…

Perhaps, I could add the Blood Rose to the new family crest as well.

While Colin was lost in his thoughts, Queen Isa had slipped the plucked Blood Rose into her hair. She tilted her head towards Colin, asking somewhat abruptly:

“Am I beautiful?”

Colin was taken aback, turned his head to look at Queen Isa, who had a slight blush. He nodded, “Of course.

At the same time, a sense of alertness crept up in his heart.

A radiant smile spread across Queen Isa’s face, much like a young girl who just received the praise of her lover.

“I heard you once proposed to Miss Vera at Lion Roar Castle, is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, the agony of not being able to have the one you love, I’ve also experienced that.” Sympathy clouded Queen Isa’s beautiful eyes, as though she truly empathised with Colin.

Colin lifted his head, looking straight into the eyes of the ravishing queen, suddenly laughed and said, “That’s a joke! You married the one you love, didn’t you?”

“Do you really think so?” A complex bitter smile crept up on Queen Isa’s face.

Colin fell silent.

He was struggling to understand why the queen was sharing this information with him.

It seemed Queen Isa noticed the guarded look in Colin’s eyes and sighed.

“I know, you don’t trust me. But I can tell. Miss Vera doesn’t really want to marry Topaz. You should be her true love.”

“You jest, Your Majesty.” Colin replied guardedly, not wanting to give this woman any leverage.

“I’m not joking.” Queen Isa looked serious. “Moreover, if possible, I would even hope that you could take Miss Vera and elope.”

Colin merely chuckled, ignoring the Queen’s nonsensical words.

Although he did indeed entertain that thought, it was impossible for Queen Isa to assist him in stealing away Vera.

From what Colin understood of the situation in Silver Moon City, this Queen

Isa ought to be one of the people who most wanted Prince Topaz to marry Vera.

In that way, the Miller family behind her could gain the support of the North Territory and realize the dream of worming their way into power.

Thus, Colin felt that the queen was testing waters by discussing this with him.

Could it be that she had noticed something?

Or did Duke St. Hilde mention something to the Miller family?

“Your Majesty, I just remembered there’s something I need to attend to. I must take my leave now.” Colin was ready to make his quick exit.

“Fine. ”

After Colin had left, the queen removed the Blood Rose she had placed in her hair. She gently crumbled it apart, opening her palm to let the tiny fragments scatter and float into the air.

“If you were still alive, would you dare to take me with you?”

A gentle breeze blew past, carrying away Queen Isa’s muttered whisper..